Selecting Database Locations in System Center Essentials 2010
Applies To: System Center Essentials 2010
During System Center Essentials 2010 setup, you have the option of installing the database that contains monitoring and management data on a local instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 or on a remote instance. You can also install Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express Edition with Advanced Services, which is included with Essentials 2010.
If you select the option to install SQL Server 2008 Express Edition during setup, Essentials 2010 determines the location in which to install SQL Server. If you want to install SQL Server to a different location, you have to install it manually.
In addition, you must make sure that the local computer (the one on which you are installing Essentials 2010) is correctly configured to support Essentials 2010 Reporting. This can be installed on either the Essentials management server or on the server hosting the Essentials databases.
Note
The option of installing SQL Server 2008 Express Edition is not available if a SQL Server database instance with the name Essentials already exists on the computer. Before uninstalling the SQL Server database instance named Essentials, make sure that the data in that instance is not required or is backed up.
Selecting the Essentials Database Location
Essentials 2010 runs more quickly and efficiently if you place the Essentials management server database on a remote instance of SQL Server—that is, install SQL Server 2008 SP1 on a computer other than the one on which you are installing Essentials 2010, but one that is in the same domain or a trusted domain. However, a remote version of the database can be hosted only on an instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition or SQL Server 2008 Enterprise Edition.
On high-performance computers running SQL Server—specifically, multiprocessor servers with 2 GB or more of RAM—placing the Essentials database locally does not affect performance. You can use any supported SQL Server 2008 edition as an instance of a local Essentials database.
Essentials Reporting Requirements
If you are planning to select an existing database instance during Essentials 2010 installation, you must make sure that SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services (SSRS) is installed and configured on the server where you plan to install Essentials Reporting. You can use the SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services Configuration tool to verify that the local SSRS instance is running and that the following are successfully configured:
Report Server Virtual Directory
Report Manager Virtual Directory
Windows Service Identity
Web Service Identity
Database Setup
If you are planning to select the option of installing SQL Server 2008 Express Edition with Advanced Services when installing Essentials 2010, you are not required to install SSRS.
Important
If you use an existing SSRS instance during Essentials 2010 installation, any reports that are already published on that instance will be deleted. Consider using a different edition of SQL Server 2008 with Essentials 2010 if you do not want existing reports to be deleted.
See Also
Tasks
How to Install System Center Essentials 2010 Reporting on a Remote Database Server
Concepts
Local Reporting vs. Remote Reporting in System Center Essentials 2010
Supported Topologies and Performance Guidance for System Center Essentials 2010
System Requirements and Supported Platforms for System Center Essentials 2010